Altered
Perception (2018/Cinedigm
DVD)/Horror Of Party Beach
(1963/Severin Blu-ray)/Jurassic
World: Fallen Kingdom
(2018/Universal 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)/Justice
League: 100 Greatest Moments
(2018/Chartwell Books/Hardcover)/Rapid
Fire (1992/Fox/Twilight
Time Limited Edition Blu-ray)
4K
Ultra HD Picture: A Picture: B-/B/B+/B+ Sound: B-/C+/A/B+
Extras: C-/C+/B/C+ Films: C-/C/B/C+ Book: A
PLEASE
NOTE:
The Rapid
Fire
Blu-ray is now only available from our friends at Twilight Time, is
limited to only 3,000 copies and can be ordered from the links below.
The
following are interesting, even key genre releases for you to know
about....
Altered
Perception
(2018) is a low budget drug thriller that follows four couples that
are all feuding with one another and are hoping to reconnect, but
when they take a study and a experimental drug, things go from bad to
worse as past demons resurface.
The
film stars Jon Hurtas, Jennifer Blanc, Jade Tailor, and Matthew Ziff.
Altered
Perception
feels like a stage play at times and aims to be controversial with
its varied views on drugs, homosexuality, and violence but is
ultimately held back by mediocre acting and filmmaking. The
performances feel a little flat at times and the idea that has been
done better in other films such as Enter
The Void.
The
film is presented in anamorphically
enhanced standard
definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and a lossy 5.1
Dolby Digital mix. The colors seem fine for the format and the look
isn't over-stylized.
The
only extras are trailers for similar films Followers
and Writers
Retreat.
Actually
better, if based on a sillier storyline, Del Tenney's Horror
Of Party Beach
(1963) is actually back, getting an unexpected upgrade to high
definition in a decent new Blu-ray from the savvy people at Severin
Home Video. The story of nuclear waste accidentally spilling into
local waterways onto human bones and turning them into killer sea
creatures (?!?) at least is consistent in its illogic. Campy,
sometimes politically incorrect and wacky all around, (white) teens
dance and party to (bad) pop/rock music, so many of them are doomed
to die!
The
creatures look more at home on The
Simpsons,
the acting is almost as non-existent as the budget and its not very
memorable, yet it is amusing when viewing. The makers were
determined to make this work somehow and it made a profit by default.
That the film survived at all in an age where so many orphan films
(i.e., not tied to major studios, though this was distributed by one)
are not surviving as well if at all. All fans of Horror monster,
music and campy films should see this one at least once, though so
much of it is bad. I give it points for ambition by default.
The
1080p 1.85 X 1 black & white digital High Definition image
transfer can show the age of the materials used, but this is far
superior a transfer to all previous releases of the film via a 2K
scan of what is convincingly identified as the original camera
negative that shows how surprisingly good the film has held up
visually. Detail and depth of the monochromatic 35mm stock will
surprise many. The
DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Mono lossless mix is unfortunately
limited, slightly compressed and cannot hide its age or limited
dynamic range.
Extras
include
an archival interview with Director Tenney, an Original Theatrical
Trailer, Return
to Party Beach:
A Retrospective
Documentary on The Horror of Party Beach, It's
the Living End: An Encounter with The Del-Aires
interview with band members Bobby Osborne and Ronnie Linares and
Shock
& Roll:
Filmmaker Tim Sullivan on Rock & Roll Horror Movies.
Steven
Spielberg's Jurassic
Park
(now World)
series has always been a favorite of mine and now we have the new
sequel and fifth entry, Jurassic
World: Fallen Kingdom
(2018) out on 4K UHD disc. The film gets right about as much as it
gets wrong in terms of how it measures up to previous installments.
While it delivers the goods in terms of special effects and action,
it suffers in plot logistics and moments of groan-worthy acting. At
the end of the day, this popcorn flick is big loud fun and should be
taken for the blockbuster entertainment that it is.
Fallen
Kingdom
stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, James Cromwell, Ted Levine,
Justice Smith, Geraldine Chaplin, Daniella Pineda, Toby Jones, Rafe
Spall and Isabella Sermon, B.D. Wong and a cameo by Jeff Goldblum.
The film is directed by J.A. Bayona and produced by Colin Trevorrow
(director of the first Jurassic
World,
the prior film).
The
sequel/follow-up to 2015's Jurassic
World,
Fallen
Kingdom
takes place several years later and the island where the (now closed)
park sat is now a free-for all for the dinosaurs. When its
discovered that a volcano is going to erupt on the island and kill
wipe out the creatures, a group of freedom fighters (led by Pratt and
Howard) end up on the island in an attempt to help save them.
However, as always with a Jurassic film, the rich have a plan of
their own for the dinos.
You
have to hand it to this sequel for trying to take things in a
different direction, especially with the ending that sets up a
promising third film. However, some characters (especially Pratt's)
are almost too 'strong' in the film and never really seem to be in
danger despite being in danger. You know that despite the stakes
presented... there will always be some way for these heroes to be
one step ahead of death. Still, the dinosaurs make up for some of
the false reality, though the finale's Indo-raptor sequence is a bit
too long and drawn out for its own good.
This
is a great looking 2160p HEVC/H.265, Dolby Vision/HDR (10; Ultra HD
Premium)-enhanced Ultra High Definition image presentation, brought
to us in its original 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio and a choice of
several top notch audio mixes including a cutting edge English DTS:X
Master Audio 11.1 lossless mix (DTS-MA 7.1 mixdown) and other tracks
in lossy Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish and French DTS-HD High Resolution
Audio 7.1. The film shows the strength of detail possible in this
new format with impeccable and lifelike details on the dinosaurs at
all times. Colors are at nice level and no visible issues are
evident. The fantastic score and vibrant sound mix is on full display
and help make this a demo-worthy disc to show off a high end home
entertainment system.
Also
included in the set is a 1080p Blu-ray disc with similar specs ( and
a digital copy. When comparing these versions of the film to the 4K,
the changes are plain as day.
It
is also worth noting that if you're a fan of this and the other
Jurassic
Park/Jurassic
World
films, then you should definitely check them in their full picture
and sound clarity out now on 4K UHD disc as well. They are
definitely worth the upgrade (see the end of this section of review
link).
Special
Features include...
The
Kingdom Evolves
- Filmmakers discuss how the second chapter in the Jurassic
World Trilogy
pushes the franchise in a new direction.
Return
to Hawaii
- Cast and crew discuss shooting the film in Hawaii.
Island
Action
- A behind-the-scenes look at the bunker scene and runaway gyrosphere
sequence.
Aboard
the Arcadia - Cast and crew discuss working with the animatronic
dinosaurs.
Start
the Bidding!
- A behind-the-scenes look at the auction scene.
On
Set with Chris & Bryce
- Go behind the scenes with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
Birth
of the Indoraptor
- An inside look at the genetically designed monstrosity known as the
Indoraptor.
Death
by Dino
- Go behind the scenes as the Indoraptor faces off with a key
character.
Monster
in a Mansion
- Director J.A. Bayona discusses how Jurassic
Park
and John Badham's Dracula
(1979) influenced his approach to directing the monster in a mansion
scene.
Rooftop
Showdown
- A look at the terrifying showdown on the rooftop of the Lockwood
Mansion.
Malcolm's
Return
- Behind the scenes with the one & only Jeff Goldblum.
VFX
Evolved
- The team at ILM discuss their cutting-edge approach to creating
dinosaurs.
Fallen
Kingdom: The Conversation
- Filmmakers and cast sit down for a candid and casual conversation
about Jurassic
World: Fallen Kingdom.
Chris
Pratt's Jurassic Journals
Vivian
Baker, Makeup Artist
Mary
Mastro, Hair Stylist
Chris
Murphy, 1st Assistant Sound
Dean
Bailey, Stunt Edge Car Driver
Peter
Harcourt, Diver
Daniella
Pineda and Justice Smith, Actors
Jody
Wiltshire, Set PA
Kelly
Krieg, Assistant Script Supervisor
J.A.
Bayona, Director
James
Cox, Stunt Performer
Rachelle
Beinart, Stunt Double
Bryce
Dallas Howard interviews Chris Pratt, Actor
A
Song for the Kingdom
- Justice Smith sings for the cast and crew of Jurassic World: Fallen
Kingdom.
Jurassic
Then and Now
(presented by Barbasol) Key moments from the Jurassic saga that tie
into Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
While
it doesn't hold up to the first two Spielberg Jurassic
Park
films in terms of quality, I'd say Fallen
Kingdom
is better than Jurassic
Park 3
and a tie with Jurassic World. While one can't help but wonder how
it would be if Spielberg was still in the director's chair, the
franchise is at least still trying new things this time instead of
spending too much time with fan service and homaging the original.
You
can read more about the original film and rest of the series in their
4K releases at this link...
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/15174/It+Takes+From+Within+(2014/First+Run+DVD)/Ju
DC
Comics' Justice League is one of the most coveted of all superhero
franchises and is glorified here in this beautiful new hardcover
book: Justice
League: 100 Greatest Moments
(2018). Highlighting
some of the best moments over the span of the brand's existence and
making note of the ups and downs, Robert Greenberger's book is highly
detailed and a must have companion piece for DC fans. Whether you
are a hardcore comic nerd or a fan whose intrigued with the franchise
through the films and curious to dive into the comic world, or even
if you just want some background on the characters, then this is
worth checking out.
Batman,
Superman, Wonder-Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Cyborg and MANY
others make up the Justice League, which clearly give Marvel's
Avengers a run for their money. While we are just now seeing some of
these heroes on the big screen, this book highlights their humble
beginnings to epic crossovers and team-ups over the years.
The
book weighs in at 304 full color pages with beautiful DC artwork on
each page. While flipping through it, its evident to see how many
different incarnations of the characters that there have been over
the years and how many great stories could still lend themselves to
translation in further movies and animated films.
This
isn't simply a book made to cash in and random events picked out of a
hat... this is an trustworthy list that consists of nominations from
larger Facebook fan groups as well as former JLA scribes Mark Waid,
Kurt Busiek, J.M. DeMatteis, Bob Rozakis, Gerry Conway, Marv Wolfman
and former DC editors Michael Eury and KC Carlson. Researcher and
comics historian John Wells and current JLA editor Brian Cunningham
also offered input on the most book in an effort to make it as
accurate as possible.
I,
for one, found it easy to get lost in the pages of this great new
book on the World's Greatest Super-Heroes and would recommend it to
anyone who loves DC.
Last
but not least, an early film by a star lost too soon, but on his way
to greatness. Brandon Lee (son of Bruce) stars in the fast paced
action film Rapid
Fire
(1992), which was made just before his iconic role in The
Crow.
Rapid
Fire
is directed by Dwight H. Little, who horror fans know also directed
the much maligned Halloween
4.
Joined
with Powers Boothe (Sin
City),
this all but forgotten film finds new life in this fantastic new
release from Twilight Time. It really is tragic that we lost Lee
right as he was starting to get very good at his craft as is evident
here. There are many impressive pieces of stunt work done by Brandon
here and his acting was better than most! Plot-wise there isn't
anything too innovative or groundbreaking, and the film is slightly
dated in some respects... but recommendable.
Rapid
Fire also stars Nick Mancuso, Raymond J. Barry, Tzi Ma, Kate Hodge,
and Tony Longo.
Brandon
Lee plays a talented art student who also just so happens to be
trained in martial arts. When he sees a mafia gangster get murdered
by his Chinese gang rival, all hell breaks loose as Lee gets stuck
between a gang feud. With the help of a police officer (Boothe), Lee
kicks all kinds of butts and takes names!
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio and a
English 2.0 DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) Stereo lossless mix, the film
has been nicely restored to Blu-ray. This is the film's first release
in HD domestically and the colors and condition of the film is in top
condition. Levels are properly saturated and detailed and the mix is
on point.
Special
Features...
BTS
Featurette
Introducing:
Brandon Lee original featurette
HD
Theatrical Trailer
and
a Color Insert Booklet with great essay by Julie Kirgo.
While
it's totally a '90s action flick, this is worth checking out for
Brandon Lee's performance and his innovative fight choreography.
To
order the Rapid
Fire
limited edition Blu-ray, buy it and other great exclusives while
supplies last at these links:
www.screenarchives.com
and
http://www.twilighttimemovies.com/
-
Nicholas Sheffo (Beach)
and James
Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
